THE SPORTING WORLD

Evening Star, Issue 15914, 21 September 1915, Page 6

THE SPORTING WORLD

[From Odb Own Correspondent.}

LOUDON, August 5. ATHLETICS. Thoughts of poor G. W. Hutson came to mind when reading that the Amateur Athletic Association had passed the champion’s 3min 9|sec for three-quarters of a mile at Stamford Bridge on July 14, 1914. Hutson, easily won toe four-mile championship last summer, and created a mild surprise by defeating more fancied rivals in the one-mile the next day, his time being 4min 22sec. The latter performance showed that Hutson was a taster miler than many critics thought, but few were prepared for his record-breaking performance at three-q-wters a week later. His time, 3min 9|sec, was not wonderful compared to T. P. Oormeff’s world’s figures of 3min 2|soc, nevertheless only one English amateur has run faster. Tin's was when W. G. George won the Civil Service open mile from scratch in 1883, his time for three-quarters being 3min B|seo, whilst the mile occupied 4min 19|sec. The latter remained as amateur record until the championship of 1884, when “W.G.” boat W. Snook after a great race in 4min 18|sec. His three-quarter time was accepted as the amateur record for 20 years, and then ruled out by the A.A.A., that body stipulating that men must break a tape to get a record. To return to Hutson, his 3min 9|sec for 1,320 yds stamped him as a five-miier, and had he not been a victim of tho war there is little doubt he would have created several more “bests.”

The distance is seldom run in England, which partly accounts for the figures being inferior in merit to tho half-mifo and onemile records. Conneffs record was created in a special handicap at Travers Island, New York, in 1895, C. Kilpatrick being his co-marker at scratch. The latter was done with soon after passing the I,oooyds mark, and experts who witnessed the race were of the opinion that Conneff might haye put up a, 4min 12sec mark had lie being going a mile. —Cracks Compete.— Several well-known athletes supported the naval and military sports meeting at Stamford Bridge on Bank Holiday. They all looked the picture of health," but the want of special training left them without that last bit of polish which means champion form. Private C. W. Taylor, of the Sportsman s Battalion, competed in the 100 yards, but was unlucky enough to moot the ultimate winner in his heat. Taylor is England’s fastest amateur sprinter, now that W. A. Applegarth lias loiod the professional ranks. E. Haley was another star, but military duty has taken the edge oft his pace, and ho was unable to gam a placo in the “300” handicap. .Rifleman B. Ives ran well when wininmr his heat in the Half-mile. Handicap, though he failed to gain a place in the final. Another well-known runner in G S. M, Morgan, of the London Rifle Brigade, recured third place in the Threemil» Handicap from the scratch mark. The big event on the programme was the Military Marathon from Richmond. It was for teams of ten, in drill order, with rifle, and it was necessary for eight men to reach the winning post before a team was considered to have finished. The men of the Oxford and Burks Rey*. ment and the 12th Middlesex Remment ran individuals, but it served the purpose tnat their cracks finished well ahe°d of the balance of the team. The Irirh Guards adopted different, tactics, and under the coaching of the Hon. H \. Alexander the whole team finished together, and easily secured Lord Lonsdale's cup. the Oxford and Bucks coming second and the Middlesex men next. —Canadians Do Well.— Bevera.l Canadian athletes took part, and though none of them went far in the boxing or tug-of-war, they were more prominent in the (rack racing. Private W. Patched, of the 27th Vancouver Battalion, secured third place in the 100 Yards Ham dicap from the 74yds mark, and the 29th \ anconver Battalion team won the relay race over six laps. The men had to hand on a rifle instead of the usual flag, and the Canadians proved themselves smart at the transfer as well as fast runners. A well-known Canadian sportsman, in Captain W. T. Tait, a brother of J. L. Tait, who competed at the Festival of Empire Games and the Olympic Games of 1908, was the referee, and another Canadian officer, in Captain T. G. Best, was one of the judges.

Among the many sportsmen present was W. A. _ Applegarth, who looks well. He is keeping fit, though he has no immediate matches on hand, and at present he is appearing in a revue. The world’s sprint champion contemplate going to the United States, which is what the writer predicted when the record holder went over to the ranks of the professionals. Ho hopes to secure a position as coach at one of the American colleges, and there is no doubt his experience would be valuable to sprinters. Applegarth is only 24 years of age, so that he may yet beat his own records, and it would not surprise the writer snouid the dapper little sprinter put up a record of 21scc for the furlong on one of the fast American tracks. BOXING. The boxing part of the sports gala at Stamford Bridge on Monday was probably the biggest open-air show ever put before tne British public. The competitions commenced at 1 p.m., and were not concluded until nearly’ 7, though three rings were used throughout. The competitions were at 9, 10, and 11 stone, and all drew numerous entries, with victory going to Driver E. W. Adcock (7th London Brigade, E.F.A.), Private A. Bristow (3rd L.N. Lancs), and Sapper Ashdown (R.E.) respectively. Then there were numerous contests between star performers, and all provided keen competition. Sergeant H. Curzon, D.C.M., and Private Iron Hague (Grenadier Guards) put up a rare fight during the time they were in the ring. Hard hitting was the order, and Curzon was the first to find the point, and Hague went out in the third round. The winner won numerous boxing trophies when in India, but his greatest honor was gained on the battlefield near Ypros, his gallant conduct leading to his promotion to Sergeant and securing the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Another worthy warrior in Sergeant Jack Miller, five times Navy and Army champion, gained the decision over ‘Private Duke Lynch in their 10-round bout. Miller was badly wounded at Yprcs last November, and, needless to say, he received a fine ovation.

| The exhibition bouts wore far .above j the average. "Lance-corporal Pat O’Keefe and Private E. Barry, the sculling cham- ! pion. delighted the crowd, and the skill of Private Dick Benge, light-weight champion of the world 20 years ago, was shown during his three rounds’ spar with Sergeant Taylor, of the Ist Surrey Rifles. Jimmy Wilde, the mighty atom, as he ie known, and Captain Johnnie Summers, ex- , welter-weight champion, wore two other noted boxers who wave exhibitions against Rifleman C. W’ard and E. Elton respecj lively. NOTED BOXER KILLED. I Lord Desborongh, one of England’s greatest sportsmen, has had the misfortune to lose another son, in Lieutenant G. W. Grenfell, Bth Rifle Brigade, who waa killed in action on July 31. His brother Julian died of wounds ifcwo months earlier, whilst his counsins, Captain Francis Grenfell, V.C., and Captain “ Rivy ” Grenfell f" - ho were twins) were killed last Mav and September respectively. The roll of tumor of this family shows how the bestmen in the country answer tho call. The Hon. G. W. Grenfell proved himself a 1 brilliant scholar at Elton and Oxford, and he also made a big name for himself as a boxer. He won honors at Eton, and twice represented Oxford against Cambridge in the heavy-weigh competition. He was also an expert tennis player, and was twice called on to do duty for Oxford in the doubles. The .gallant soldier -was a typical English sportsman., and his memory will be kept green. BILLIARDS. M. Inman made a break of 340 on the afternoon of the final day of his billiard match against T. Newman, so that he was only 391 points behind when the final session began. Thus there appeared every cn.mce u. .< close linisn. Inman s known ability when iu a tight corner ied

to think he would prevail. Newy man soon upset all calculations, however/ bjf putting on a break of 411, and hi wop comfortably,' the final scores being I Newman (rec. 2,250), 18,000; Inmail (scratch), 17,051. The loser made 53 three-figure breaks, of which three were over 400, and a grand effort of 893. Newman had 55 three-figure breaks, the bestbeing 411, 528, and 640, so that it will bo seen that both winner and loser showed great form. THE TURF. From all one can learn, we shall have a certain amount of steeplechase and hurdle races during the winter. The idea Is to promote alternate meetings at Gatwick in the south, and at one of the northern centres. This would be a practical way to meet the situation without putting too great a strain on the railways. Gatwick is only 26 miles from London, and it would be difficult to select a more suitably venue. Richard Croker, the well-known IrishAmerican owner, has given all his winnings on the Turf this season to the Red Cross fund, and this generous policy will be continued. This is a practical way to assist a deserving fund, and he is only one of many sportsmen who have ably responded. Several well-known jockeys were seen in a somewhat strange role at Stamford Bridge on Monday. They steered the donkeys in the “ Mokes’ Derby,” and ail their jockeyship could not always make the animals go in the desired direction. J. W. Tustin rod© the winner, whilst Bernard Dillon and E. Wheatley were up on the second and third. Writing about jockeys Webb scored in three of the six events at Imber Court on Monday. This was the second meeting promoted by tho Southern District Association, and the support will no doubt, encourage tho organisation to go on. CRICKET. A lot of interesting cricket has been seen during the past week. R. B. Minnett, who was one of the Australian team that last visited England, bowled splendidly in one of the holiday military matches. He also distinguished himself by winning the Officers’ 100 Yards Race at Eastbourne on Bank Holiday. Overseas cricketers were also on view at Catford on Monday, when a strong home side opposed the Colonial Army XL, made np of three Australians and eight Canadians. Tlie visitors could only total 86, tu ririlo five wickets for 51 runs, ihe Catford men made 345 for five wickets, a fine innings of 105 bv H. French being the feature. A remarkable bowling feat was accomplished by W. Ruffels when playing for t le Forest Gate Special Constables against the Forest Gate Police. He sent down two overs (12 balls), and after a single and a four had been hit off his first two balls, he took seven wickets with successive balls.

The famous A. C. MacLaren, of test match fame, was bowled for a duck when plaj ing for the Army Service Corps against the llth R.H. Kent Regiment on Mon“ay- Better fortune came the way of C. J- Knight, a Surrey County man, when playing for the Artists’ Rifles against the d Batt. Honorable Artillery Company at the Oval on Monday. He shaped splendidly whilst making 145, his best hit? being two 6’s and 17 4’s.

Cricketers will be. sorrv to hear that) Private Alan Marshal, of the 15th Batt. -Australian Imperial Force, has died in a hospital at Malta after service in GalliE?], 1 - , hailed from Queensland, and md splendid work after qualifying to plav lor Surrey. During 1908 he scored" 1,854 runs, having an average of over 40, Tom Hayward alone having a better record fo» the county during the season.